The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that it will operate the Multan Sultans franchise for the 2026 Pakistan Super League (PSL 11) season.
The process to auction new ownership of the Multan franchise is set to take place after the conclusion of PSL 11. The decision makes the board the interim operator of the franchise for this edition of the tournament.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi made the announcement while addressing a press conference on Sunday. He clarified that the PCB will directly oversee Multan’s affairs during the next PSL, and that fresh ownership will be decided once the season ends.
According to Naqvi, the head of the Multan franchise for PSL 11 will be named within the next ten days.
During the briefing, Naqvi also revealed that a proposal has been put forward to start PSL 11 on March 23 instead of March 26, subject to agreement from all franchises. He noted that beginning the tournament earlier could be beneficial if a consensus is reached.
In another development, Wasim Akram has been appointed as the brand ambassador of the PSL. The former captain will also serve as the auctioneer on the day of the teams’ auction, adding further profile to the league’s commercial process.
Meanwhile, former Multan franchise owner Ali Tareen and the Tareen Group is preparing to bid for a new PSL franchise, potentially targeting one of the additional teams expected to be introduced in the league.
In other news, Mohammad Rizwan’s role as Multan captain is also under scrutiny ahead of PSL 11. With the PCB taking temporary control of the franchise, sources suggest that changes to the team’s leadership structure are being considered, and Rizwan’s long-standing captaincy could be revisited as part of the transition process.
